Empower your child's future with personalized tutoring & support.
Empower your child's future with personalized tutoring & support.
This video will help you understand the different educational scenarios offered in Florida and which ones may choose an FLDOE norm-referenced assessment, like STAR.
A public school is a tuition‑free, government‑funded school that must accept and educate all children within a designated geographic area. That’s the core idea: open access, no tuition, and government oversight. All charter schools in Florida are public schools and shall be part of the state’s program of public education. Charter schools in Florida are public schools, not private institutions. They can be newly established or formed by converting existing public schools. Some offer full online programs for K–12 students. When a student enrolls in a virtual charter school, funding goes to the district where the virtual school is based, not the student’s home district.
Students who are enrolled in a private school, whether they receive PEP, UA, or no scholarship funding are required to take whatever the school has decided they will take (or not take). Private schools may exclude themselves from state assessments or may choose an alternative assessment. No other assessment is required.
*This includes “Umbrella Schools” who meet the grade and attendance policies but allow parents to control the educational environment.
When a family registers with a Florida private school that supports home‑based learning that is a registered school and this school follows the state attendance and recordkeeping policies.
A Florida‑certified teacher provides instruction for at least 180 days. This option does not require a portfolio or district oversight but follows regulations.
Parents direct their child’s learning, choose curriculum, and set the pace. Families must:
This letter notifies your school district that you are establishing a Home Education Program. You must file the LOI within 30 days of beginning your home education program.
Florida Statute 1002.41 requires only three pieces of information:
Every year, by the anniversary of your LOI filing date, you must submit an evaluation showing educational progress.
Options include:
A portfolio includes:
This portfolio must be kept for two years and made available to the superintendent if requested with 15 days’ notice. Three pieces of information:
When you finish homeschooling (graduation, moving, returning to school), you must file a Letter of Termination with the district.
In Florida, Step Up for Students helps families access flexible, individualized learning through state-funded scholarships. These programs give parents more control over how and where their child learns, whether that's in a private school, a public school, or a parent-directed learning environment.
What Is Step Up for Students?
Step Up for Students is a state-approved nonprofit scholarship funding organization that administers Florida's K-12 education scholarships. These programs help families pay for private school tuition, transportation, therapies, curriculum, tutoring, and other approved educational
expenses.
The organization manages several major scholarship programs, including the Family Empowerment Scholarship (FES), Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC), Personalized Education Program (PEP), and the Unique Abilities Scholarship (FES-UA). These scholarships are designed to give families meaningful choice and flexibility in shaping their child's education.
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
1. Private School Scholarships (FTC & FES-EO)
Available to all Florida K-12 students eligible for public school (no income limit). Average award is about $8,000 per student. Tuition and fees are paid first; remaining funds may be used for approved educational expenses such as tutoring or online courses.
2. Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA)
- Provides an education savings account (ESA) for students with qualifying disabilities.
- Funds may be used for tuition, therapies, specialized services, curriculum, tutoring, assistive technology, and more.
- Eligibility: Florida students ages 3 through grade 12, or up to age 22.
- Award amounts vary by grade level, county, and level of need.
3. Personalized Education Program (PEP) Scholarship
Supports parent-directed learning for students not enrolled in public school or formal home education.
- Available to K-12 students; must be age 5 by September 1.
- Average award is about $8,000. Funds may be used for curriculum, tutors, classes, and educational materials.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligibility varies by scholarship, but many Florida families qualify under one or more categories.
FTC, FES-EO, and PEP are open to all income levels. Families earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level may receive priority if funding becomes limited.
FES-UA is available to students with qualifying disabilities ages 3-22. A diagnosis or IEP/504 Plan is required.
Florida's scholarship programs are designed to give families choices.
Whether your child needs a different school environment, specialized therapies, or a parent-directed learning plan, Step Up for Students helps make those options possible.